REGULAR MEETING
May 25, 1964
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, May 25, 1964 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Hughes, Massey, Smith and Walls.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of May 18, 1964 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
GOODEN ZONING
Lockwood Gooden requested Council to rezone a plot of land he owns on Walker Road to permit its sale for use as a trucking terminal. The land is between the railroad and the Northwest Dover Heights development. Council decided that the Planning Commission should be requested to recommend rezoning for the entire area which was recently brought into the City and given a blanket zoning of R-20. The request of Mr. Gooden will be advertised for public hearing.
On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP AND DIRECTING THAT A NOTICE OF SAID HEARING BE PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE CODE.
WHEREAS, a certain area immediately adjoining the Delaware Railroad right of way on the west, and Walker Road on the north, in the City of Dover is presently zoned for residential use, R-20, and
WHEREAS, a request was submitted to change the zone designation from R-20 to C-4, Highway Commerce use, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hold a public hearing prior to amending the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
1. That a public hearing be held at City Hall, at 8:00 P.M. on June 22, 1964 on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map of the City of Dover which would rezone from R-20 to C-4 use the following described area in the City of Dover:
That plot of land located in northwest Dover bounded on the east by the right of way lone of the Delaware Railroad for a distance of 870 feet, on the south by Walker Road for a distance of 392 feet, on the west by a ditch for a distance of approximately 850 feet and measuring a distance of 224 feet from the ditch to the aforesaid Railroad right of way line on the north.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted May 25, 1964
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Walls submitted a written report of a meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee which was accepted by Council.
Councilman Walls submitted a written report of a meeting of the Parks, Playgrounds and Tree Committee which was accepted by Council.
SILVER LAKE SUPERVISION
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Massey, Council authorized the employment of a part time man to supervise the Silver Lake Beach area when needed, as recommended by the Parks Committee.
Sherwood Plot Sale
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Hayes, a recommendation of the Parks Committee that a plot of land in Sherwood #4 Development be sold to Dr. August Helmbold was referred by Council to the City Solicitor to determine whether the City could give away or sell the land.
BRADFORD ZONING HEARING
A request to rezone a plot located at the southeast corner of S. Bradford Street and Gooden Avenue from RG-1 to RG0 use was duly advertised for hearing this date. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. Mr. Larkin, whose wife Lillian Larkin, owns a property at Gooden Avenue and State Street object to the rezoning unless he could be assured that the property of his wife could be rezoned without opposition. He was informed that the hearing was related only to the plot advertised and assurances could not be given on any other rezoning. Officials of the Kenbrit Corporation, who requested the rezoning, stated their intention was to erect a professional building on the site primarily for use of doctors and dentists who form the corporation. A preliminary sketch of the proposed building was exhibited. The site was selected because it is near the hospital. Building Inspector Roe informed Council that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning request. Mr. Larkin stated that he withdrew his objection.
On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AND ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF AN AREA ON SOUTH BRADFORD STREET FROM RG-1 TO RG0 USE.
WHEREAS, the City of Dover has enacted a zoning ordinance regulating the use of property within the limits of the City of Dover, and
WHEREAS, it is deemed in the best interest of zoning and planning to change the permitted uses from RG-1 to RG0 in a plot located on the southeast corner of S. Bradford Street and Gooden Avenue,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
1. From and after the passage and approval of this ordinance, the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover shall be amended by changing the zoning designation from RG-1 to RG0 use the following plot:
That area within the City of Dover between South Bradford Street and a 15 foot alley immediately to the east having a frontage on Gooden Avenue of 180 feet and extending southward from Gooden Avenue for a distance of 400 feet.
Adopted May 25, 1964
NORTHWEST DOVER HEIGHTS
Residents of northwest Dover Heights appeared before City Council asking that sewer lines and street lighting be provided in the area. Mayor Carroll explained to the group that the City was now engaged in preparing a capital improvement program which included these facilities for that area.
AMBACH REQUEST
Max Ambach, by letter through his attorney Herman Brown, asked permission to have City Water extended to another area owned by him outside City limits. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, the request was referred to the Utility Committee.
GOODEN LAND
Leslie Gooden owns a plot of land of approximately ½ acre in the tar ditch area near the sewage disposal plant which he offers to sell the City at a price. Mayor Carroll will meet with Mr. Gooden to discuss the matter.
CONTRACTS 5 & 10
Contracts 5 and 10 have taken longer to complete than the allotted number of working days contained in the contract. Albright & Friel asked City Council whether they desired to invoke the liquidated damages provisions of the contract. They believe no material damage was caused the City by the delay. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the matter was referred to the Utility Committee for study and recommendation.
DIVISION AND FOREST
All City officials agree that the triangle at Division and Forest Streets should be rebuilt to permit a smoother flow of traffic. Attempts to get the State Highway Department to reconstruct the triangle have not succeeded. The City Manager recommended that the City do the job. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized the City to proceed with reconstruction of the triangle.
PLANNING MEETING
Building Inspector Roe reported on his attendance at a two day planning conference held at Rehobeth on Friday and Saturday, May 22 and 23.
LAMIA
A letter from John Papassiopoulos, Mayor of Lamia, Greece thanked Mayor Carroll for a letter sent to that City during their Easter celebrations.
HOUSING AUTHORITY LIGHTS
A letter from the Dover Housing Authority stated they had permission to purchase six yard lights for their Capital Green project to be used as a temporary installation until permanent street lights are available. They asked the City to install the lights. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council approved installation of the lights by the City.
HOUSING AUTHORITY AGREEMENT
A letter from the Dover Housing Authority advised City Council that their Capital Green project No. Del. 2-2 is subject to Section 424 of the Consolidated Annual Contributions Contract and the provisions of the Cooperation Agreement between the City of Dover and the Dover Housing Authority dated April 10, 1961, unless the agreement is amended. The Cooperation Agreement provides that Dover exempt the Authority from City taxes, and that the Authority make an annual payment to the City in lieu of taxes. If no response is made by the City within three months the Authority will assume that no amendments are to be made to the agreement. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, the letter was referred to the City Solicitor for advise to City Council.
JAY CEE BANNER
The Junior Chamber of Commerce requested permission to erect a banner across Loockerman Street to advertise the Miss Delaware pageant. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council granted permission to erect a banner provided the Jay Cees obtain permission of the property owners to whose buildings the banner would be attached.
MUIR LETTER
A letter was received by Council from Mrs. Hazel W. Muir in response to Council criticism of the painting of her office building on Sunday. She noted that the ‘Sabbath’ was observed on other days than Sunday, that because of fewer pedestrians it was safer to erect ladders on sidewalks on Sundays, an that if a City ordinance prohibited such work she would be glad to abide by it. On motion, duly seconded, Council accepted the letter.
UNLOADING ZONE
Councilmen Walls and Massey pointed out the need for a truck unloading zone on Loockerman Street in the vicinity of New Street. The Mayor and Chief of Police will investigate the matter.
Council adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of May 25, 1964 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
May 26, 1964